To ensure the success of your event, the International Museum of Surgical Science has an approved list of vendors that includes Chicago’s preeminent caterers. All approved vendors have been selected for their high standards and quality of service to use our historic space.
Preferred Caterers

Beyond Catering & Events
Contact: John Buonavolanto
312-553-9300
info@beyondeventschicago.com
We are current. We have always embraced an “un-catered” approach to food, one which honors fine ingredients and creative execution. The goal is to listen to each client and provide a distinctive menu that’s prepared and presented in a way to delight and inspire. In an environment of ever-changing service styles and food trends, BEYOND EVENTS stays on the forefront with one thing in mind: a memorable food experience.

Blue Plate Catering
Contact: Beth Bracco
312-377-0929
info@blueplatechicago.com
Blue Plate is not just a food company. Cultivating relationships is what we do – it’s the core of who we are, our source of inspiration and an ever present reminder of why we love our jobs. Whether a client or internal employee, a vendor or local farmer, these connections are key to our innovation, creativity, culinary insight, and most importantly, to satisfying the hungry people of Chicago.

Chef by Request
Menu
Contact: Amanda Ingle
630-493-4300
aingle@chefbyrequest.com
At Chef By Request, we realize how important the event planning process is and how overwhelming it can be for you to make so many decisions when it comes to your special event. We are here to help! We pride ourselves in each unique event we cater and treat it as though it were our own catered wedding reception, corporate event or spectacular theme party or bbq.

Entertaining Company
Menu
Contact: Michelle Sterling
312-829-2800
michelle@entertainingcompany.com
Transporting your guests with palates of artisan ingredients, unique presentations and trend-setting new dishes is our signature. At Entertaining Company, our inspiration is drawn from everywhere we go, everything we see and everyone we meet. We’re constantly fusing global cuisine with celebrated traditions, creating unique event menus and stories along the way. We are a preferred caterer at Chicago’s most celebrated venues.

Food for Thought Catering
Menu
Contact: Megan Dempsey
847-745-5146
mdempsey@fftchicago.com
The combined resources and diverse capabilities of our divisions—Food For Thought Catering, the FFT Hospitality Group and Food for Thought Delivered Catering—create a unique company with expertise in managing café, drop-off and catering services. We specialize in Chicago foodservice management and are a proud foodservice partner to provide businesses and individuals the services they need. We have created a niche that allows us to bring premium-level food and service to our clients and to accommodate a wide variety of foodservice needs.

Inspired Catering
Menu
Contact: Liz Kaczmarek
312-226-7611 Ext. 812
LKaczmarek@InspiredByKGS.com
Inspired Catering & Events provides the professional expertise and guidance needed to make your event truly distinctive. Customized menus, venue placement and event design are part of our complete range of catering services. You will meet one on one with your event manager and our culinary team to help develop your personalized menu. Your catering event manager will also handle all rentals, linens, room set-ups, staffing, music, flowers and any other detail or desire you have.

Occasions Chicago
Menus
Contact: Gerard McGuigan
312-942-1515
gerard@occasionschicago.com
Occasions Chicago Catering brings you the finest in corporate and social event planning and catering. Offering everything from an intimate dinner with family and friends to a Black-Tie gala for hundreds, we’ve got you covered!
Located in Chicago’s historic West Loop neighborhood, Occasions Chicago Catering boasts a proven track record in superior customer service and product quality. Our commitment to excellence shines through in everything we do.

Paramount Events
Menu
Contact: Kim Urbaniak
773-880-8044
kim@paramounteventschicago.com
YOUR EVENT IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. Our goal is to create customized menus and provide impeccable service that’s sure to impress. You can count on the event planning experts and stellar culinary team of Paramount Events to be there every step of the way, answering all your questions and handling details, big and small.
We’re here for you. From the first phone call until long after the final bite, we’ll be working our behind-the-scenes magic to create an experience that earns rave reviews from each guest.

SBR Events Group
Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering │ True Cuisine & Special Events
Menu
Contact: Erin Prohammer
630-984-9062
Eprohammer@sbrevents.com
We don’t just cater food. We create experiences. In addition to offering delicious menus with professional service, Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering offers the most comprehensive event planning and catering services available. Our team is able to transform a simple occasion into a memorable special event.
We manage all of the details including the creation of custom menus, beautifully decorated tables topped with stunning floral arrangements for your guests to enjoy, thematic room design to set the scene, audio-visual services, engaging entertainment, and much more.
Preferred Hotels

Marriott Hotels
Contact Sales Executive, Julie Carroll, for special rates and room blocks on one of Marriott’s 13 distinctive Chicago area hotels. Closest distance the Museum include the Residence Inn and The Westin Mag Mile.
For Chicago events of any size, there’s a Marriott brand hotel to bring everyone together and keep them engaged. Enjoy access to room blocks at any, or all, of 13 distinctive Chicago area hotels. Earn valuable Marriott Bonvoy rewards for you and your attendees. And plan on being well taken care of from beginning to end as you explore the flavors, sights and sounds of downtown. Your unforgettable event begins with us.

Ambassador Chicago
Special IMSS Booking Rates. Includes complimentary basic WiFi, complimentary access to the onsite fitness center, complimentary Uber (approved by Sales or Front Desk Manager).
*Blackout dates apply
With a rich history rooted in Chicago’s Jazz Age, Ambassador Chicago is the city’s original boutique hotel dating back to 1926. Located in the heart of the Gold Coast, the iconic property has hosted the who’s who of the 20th and 21st centuries, having served as a local beacon to countless celebrities. Ambassador Chicago is nestled among stunning mansions in a quiet, gilded neighborhood tucked into the center of the Windy City offering incredible views of Lake Michigan, and with easy access to Chicago’s main shopping boulevard, Michigan Avenue. With 285 spacious guest rooms, a 24 hour fitness center, two restaurants, thoughtful programming, and amenities curated by local artisans and chefs, Ambassador Chicago maintains its distinct and legendary character while offering guests an authentic Chicago experience.

The Drake, A Hilton Hotel
No other Chicago hotel has inspired more legendary acclaim on par with The Drake, a Hilton Hotel. This timeless property affords guests easy access to the city’s most exclusive shopping, nightlife and dining.
Conceptualized by famed architect Benjamin Howard Marshall, The Drake Hotel came to fruition when John B. Drake and Tracy Corey Drake financed the project in 1919. The doors of The Drake Hotel opened on New Year’s Eve the following year to 2,000 of Chicago’s most distinguished citizens.
Throughout the roaring twenties The Drake became high-society’s first choice in opulence. The Fountain Court, now known as the Palm Court, hosted Chicago’s social elite daily for tea—a continuing tradition at The Drake. The popularity of the illustrious urban resort continued to rise well into the 1930’s seemingly unaffected by the crash of 1929. Icons such as Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, George Gershwin, and Charles Lindbergh could be seen sipping a cocktail and listening to Herbie Kay in The Gold Coast Room.
Though The Drake has progressed both architecturally and technologically, the roots of The Drake Hotel run deep beneath Lake Shore Drive into Real Chicago.
For special hotel rate booking codes, contact our Events Department.
To schedule a site visit please contact our Special Events Department at miranda@imss.org or 312-642-6502 ext. 3120.